Around the state: Federal and state budget cuts are changing how school district’s statewide are feeding public school students, addressing housing insecurity for Osceola students, the Scripps National Spelling Bee continues, new university presidents have been chosen and the school board in Escambia wants to speed up the process of reviewing challenged library books. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Broward: Officials here may close some schools and open others. South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Pasco: The school district here will launch a new flexible education program next school year that is aimed at students who are homeschooled or attend private schools. BayNews 9. Meanwhile, two more Pasco high schools will get new principals as longtime leaders retire. Wiregrass Ranch High will be led by Jennifer Waselewski, and Gulf High will be led by Travis DeWalt. At least one other high school, Pasco High, will get a new leader in the future. Tampa Bay Times.
Pinellas: Six schools will get new principals for the upcoming academic year. Tampa Bay Times.
Osceola: Among the 73,558 students in the school district here, there is a segment of students who face some form of housing insecurity. Some live in hotels or motels, transitional shelters, parks, campgrounds and other places. Experts point to a particular culprit: Unaffordable housing. WKMG.
Brevard: Officials here are discussing what happens when students use chosen names without permission. Florida statute and the 2023 Board of Education rule mostly address school districts, teachers and parental rights rather than what students themselves can or cannot do. Florida Today.
Escambia: The school board here wants to speed up the process of reviewing challenged library books. After hearing from community members about the current review process at a May meeting, board member Kevin Adams said Escambia County Public Schools should improve the process. Florida has had more challenged books for removal than any other state. About 2,700 titles were targeted for restriction or removal in Florida schools and public libraries, according to data released by the American Library Association. Pensacola News-Journal.
After-school programs: Federal funding cuts could hurt after-school programs in school district’s across Florida and nationwide. Hedy Chang, who founded a national nonprofit that seeks to combat chronic absenteeism in schools, says research has long shown that after-school programs can also improve student attendance during the school day, among other benefits. “After-school programs can connect kids to needed resources like food, nutrition,” she says. “And make sure that they’re connected to something that engages them, makes them excited about learning.” WUFT.
Meal changes: State and federal cuts, and the end of pandemic-era relief funds, are changing how school districts across the state are feeding students in public schools. More than 50% of Florida’s public school students last year received free or reduced meals while at school, according to the Florida Department of Health. Some districts have raised the cost of lunches for students. Axios.
Historic celebration: A reunion brought to light the heritage of two of Florida’s historically Black schools. Ocala Gazette.
Legislature update: Many of the bills that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law so far from this year’s session involve education. They include school safety laws, public health laws, school accountability laws and curriculum laws, among others. Central Florida Public Media.
Spelling bee: The Scripps National Spelling Bee began this week. Two South Florida spellers are competing: Nikhil Sha of Miami and Hadi Abbasi of Pembroke Pines. The competition, which is celebrating its 100th year, wraps up on Thursday. WPLG.
Colleges and universities: Florida Department of Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. has been selected as the University of West Florida’s interim president. The Board of Trustee’s chose him to replace Martha Saunders in an 8-2 vote on Tuesday morning. Saunders, who served as president since January 2017, resigned on May 12. The Board of Trustee’s waived the 90-day notice of resignation. Diaz will become interim president on July 14. Pensacola News-Journal. Politico. WEAR. Meanwhile, University of Florida trustees have hired Santa Ono, outgoing president of the University of Michigan, as the school’s new president. “Florida is showing the nation that it’s possible to elevate academic excellence without ideological indoctrination,” Ono said. “That’s the work I want to lead.” The decision remains subject to approval by the Florida University System’s Board of Governors. Florida Politics. WEAR. Tampa Bay Times.
Opinions on schools: The latest educator pay data from the National Education Association is out, and Florida ranks 13th in higher education salaries nationally. This is a drastic contrast to Florida’s 50th ranking in average Pre-K-12 teacher pay – a growing disconnect that threatens the very foundation of our higher education system if left unchecked. Nandi Riley, Tallahassee Democrat.
